Dr. Steven Charous is an ear, nose and throat specialist. His clinical interests include hoarseness, larynx cancer, and vocal cord paralysis. His hospital/clinic affiliations include Loyola Outpatient Center (LOC), NorthShore University HealthSystem, and Swedish Covenant Hospital. Dr. Charous graduated from the University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine and then he performed his residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the University of Chicago Medical Center. The average patient rating for Dr. Charous is 4.0 stars out of 5. Dr. Charous honors several insurance carriers, including Humana HMO, Humana Bronze, and Humana Catastrophic. New patients are welcome to contact his office for an appointment.

Dr. Robert Battista's specialty is otology and neurotology. Patient ratings for Dr. Battista average 5.0 stars out of 5. Dr. Battista's areas of expertise include hearing loss, otosclerosis, and acoustic neuroma. He is in-network for Aetna EPO, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and Coventry, as well as other insurance carriers. Before completing his residency at The University Hospital, Newark, Dr. Battista attended medical school at UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School. He is professionally affiliated with Alexian Brothers Health System (ABHS), Adventist Health Partners (AHP), and Adventist Hinsdale Hospital.

Dr. Carol Bier-Laning is an otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat) specialist in Maywood, IL. Her areas of expertise include larynx cancer, thyroid surgery, and oral cancer. Dr. Bier-Laning is an in-network provider for Humana HMO, Humana Bronze, and Humana Catastrophic, as well as other insurance carriers. After completing medical school at the University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, she performed her residency at a hospital affiliated with the University of Minnesota. She is professionally affiliated with Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital, and Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA).

Dr. Kathleen Billings works as a pediatric ear, nose and throat specialist in Chicago, IL, Glenbrook, IL, and Northbrook, IL. Before completing her residency at a hospital affiliated with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Dr. Billings attended medical school at Rush Medical College. Patient reviews placed her at an average of 3.5 stars out of 5. Dr. Billings takes Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO, United Healthcare Plans, and United Healthcare HMO, as well as other insurance carriers. Dr. Billings is professionally affiliated with Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern Medicine, and Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. She has an open panel.

Dr. Andrew Celmer works as an ear, nose and throat specialist in Glen Ellyn, IL, Naperville, IL, and Lombard, IL. Aetna EPO, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and Coventry are among the insurance carriers that Dr. Celmer accepts. He is a graduate of Indiana University School of Medicine. Dr. Celmer's residency was performed at a hospital affiliated with the University of Kansas. He is professionally affiliated with Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital.

Dr. Paul Jones is an otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat) and head & neck plastic surgery specialist. Dr. Jones's areas of expertise include the following: throat problems, ear problems, and nose problems. Humana HMO, Humana Bronze, and Humana Catastrophic are among the insurance carriers that Dr. Jones honors. He attended Rush Medical College for medical school and subsequently trained at Rush University Medical Center for residency. He has received the following distinction: Chicago Super Doctors. His professional affiliations include Loyola Outpatient Center (LOC) and Loyola Center for Health at Burr Ridge.

Dr. Dennis Moore is an otologist and neurotologist. Patient ratings for Dr. Moore average 5.0 stars out of 5. He has a special interest in ruptured eardrum, cochlear implant, and deafness. Dr. Moore is in-network for Humana HMO, Humana Bronze, and Humana Catastrophic, as well as other insurance carriers. After attending Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine, he completed his residency training at a hospital affiliated with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and a hospital affiliated with Loyola University. Dr. Moore's hospital/clinic affiliations include Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital and Loyola Medicine.

Dr. Richard Borrowdale, who practices in Maywood, IL, is a medical specialist in otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat). He is a graduate of Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine. His medical residency was performed at a hospital affiliated with Loyola University. Dr. Borrowdale's areas of clinical interest consist of throat cancer, thyroid surgery, and head and neck reconstructive surgery. Patient ratings for Dr. Borrowdale average 4.0 stars out of 5. He is in-network for Humana HMO, Humana Bronze, and Humana Catastrophic, as well as other insurance carriers. He is affiliated with Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center and Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital.

Dr. Daniel Danahey is a medical specialist in facial plastic surgery, otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat), and head & neck plastic surgery. He is professionally affiliated with Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital. Before completing his residency at Ohio State University Medical Center, Dr. Danahey attended medical school at Ohio State University College of Medicine. On average, patients gave Dr. Danahey a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5. Aetna EPO, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and Coventry are among the insurance carriers that Dr. Danahey accepts.

Dr. Andrew Hotaling works as a pediatric ear, nose and throat specialist in Maywood, IL, Homer Glen, IL, and Oakbrook Terrace, IL. Dr. Hotaling's clinical interests include hearing loss, ear infection, and sleep apnea. He is in-network for Humana HMO, Humana Bronze, and Humana Catastrophic, as well as other insurance carriers. After completing medical school at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, he performed his residency at the University Hospitals, Cleveland and McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University. He has received the following distinction: Chicago Super Doctors. Dr. Hotaling is affiliated with Loyola Outpatient Center (LOC), Ronald McDonald Children's Hospital, and Loyola Center for Health at Homer Glen.

Dr. Matthew Kircher works as an ear, nose and throat specialist. After completing medical school at Rush Medical College, he performed his residency at a hospital affiliated with Loyola University. These areas are among Dr. Kircher's clinical interests: bell's palsy, skull base surgery, and skull base tumors. Humana HMO, Humana Bronze, and Humana Catastrophic are among the insurance carriers that Dr. Kircher accepts. He is affiliated with Loyola Outpatient Center (LOC), Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital, and Loyola Center for Health at Burr Ridge.

Dr. Nancy Young is a pediatric otolaryngology (ear, nose & throat) specialist in Chicago, IL, Westchester, IL, and Northbrook, IL. She is affiliated with Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern Medicine, and Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Dr. Young is in-network for Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO, United Healthcare Plans, and United Healthcare HMO, as well as other insurance carriers. New patients are welcome to contact her office for an appointment. She graduated from New York University (NYU) School of Medicine. For her professional training, Dr. Young completed residency programs at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Montefiore Medical Center. Dr. Young has received the distinction of Chicago Super Doctors.

Dr. John Ortega is a facial plastic surgeon and otolaryngologist. He is affiliated with Gottlieb Memorial Hospital. He graduated from the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago. Dr. Ortega trained at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics for his residency. His average patient rating is 2.5 stars out of 5. Dr. Ortega takes Humana HMO, Humana Bronze, Humana Catastrophic, and more.

Dr. Stephen Hoff's specialty is pediatric otolaryngology (ear, nose & throat). He is professionally affiliated with Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, and Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Dr. Hoff studied medicine at Rush Medical College. For his residency, Dr. Hoff trained at a hospital affiliated with the University of Illinois. Dr. Hoff is an in-network provider for Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Coventry, and Aetna, as well as other insurance carriers. New patients are welcome to contact his office for an appointment.

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What is Head and Neck Surgery?

Head and neck surgery is a subspecialty that provides advanced surgical care for the head, face, neck, and throat. Most head and neck surgeons begin their careers as otolaryngologists (ENTs) or plastic surgeons, but becoming certified as a head and neck surgeon requires additional training.

A surgeon who treats the head and neck has very specific considerations to take into account when operating. The delicate structures of the head and neck control our senses, our speech, our ability to chew and swallow food, and even our ability to breathe. A head and neck surgeon has to be careful to preserve the many functions of the head and neck when performing an operation. Also, when operating on or around the face, extreme care must be taken to leave as few scars as possible, since the face is a critical part of identity and social interaction. It all adds up to a tricky job.

Some of the issues a head and neck surgeon might treat include:

Cancer

Trauma to the face or neck

Thyroid disorders requiring surgery

Sinus surgery

Tonsillectomies / adenoidectomies

Cleft palate repair

Disorders of the larynx (voice box)

Cancers, especially of the esophagus, mouth, lips, and skin around the face or throat, are one of the most common issues requiring head or neck surgery. Most often, head and neck cancers are related to tobacco use. Chewing tobacco in particular affects the lips and mouth. Other risk factors for head and neck cancers include alcohol use and sun exposure.

Often after surgery, but particularly after the removal of a tumor, head and neck surgeons will perform reconstructive surgery, including microvascular surgery to connect or replace skin tissue. The goal is to restore not only a patient’s function but also their appearance in this critical area of the body, improving self-esteem.